TORONTO — Jewish prayer is coming to Queen’s Park. After months of debate, a legislative committee looking into what Premier Dalton McGuinty calls “a more inclusive approach” to the daily opening ceremonies in the legislature decided last week not to do away with the Lord’s Prayer.

Instead, the Ontario legislature will continue to commence each session with the Christian ritual. But starting this week, it will also be followed by a second activity that will include a rotation of different prayers from various faith communities in the province, including aboriginal, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i and Sikh. Other options could be a special recitation or a moment of silence.

MPPs must ask Speaker Steve Peters to have other prayers added to the list, but Peters said last week that he will put that decision in the hands of an committee of elected politicians from all three parties, Canadian Press reported.

The legislature passed the motion supporting the move in a 58-0 vote.

In February, McGuinty sent a letter to the other provincial party leaders asking them to review the daily practice of reciting the Lord’s Prayer at Queen’s Park.

He also sought input from the province’s Jewish and other faith communities.

At the time, the request sparked some outrage from Christian groups and the provincial Conservatives.

In response to McGuinty’s letter, provincial Conservative leader John Tory – who unsuccessfully ran his 2007 election campaign on a platform of incorporating faith-based schools into the public school system – said the Tories would partake in the all-party committee, but not at the expense of the prayer.

In a statement last Thursday on the  Liberal website, McGuinty thanked the all-party committee for its work.

“Ontarians have shown once again that with a spirit of co-operation and goodwill, we can resolve anything. And that’s what has been done today,” he said.

McGuinty added: “The legislature belongs to all of us, and now its practices will reflect a modern Ontario that is home to many faiths and creeds, and anticipates a future every bit as open, and compassionate and respectful as the Ontario we have built, together.”

Canadian Jewish Congress praised the announcement.

“I think this is a very positive outcome,” said Frank Bialystok, chair of Congress’ Ontario region. “It is entirely appropriate that this diversity take its rightful place, along with the traditional reading of the Lord’s Prayer, at Queen’s Park.”

The Jewish prayer to be used comes from Psalms 145 and Numbers 6: 24-26, combining parts of Ashrei and the Kohanic blessings.

Spokesperson Wendy Lampert said CJC was consulted by the committee on the issue, but said she didn’t know how the prayers were chosen.